To inform national efforts in response to COVID-19, HIQA is developing evidence summaries to answer specific research questions posed by the National Public Health Emergency Team.

This summary details the best available evidence to answer the following question: 

What is the accuracy of molecular and antigen detection tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19 using alternative clinical specimens or sites compared with RT-PCR tested nasopharyngeal (with or without oropharyngeal) or lower respiratory tract clinical samples?